Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing liquefied natural gas. A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream passes through a turbo expander creating work output. A compressor is driven by the work output and compresses the process stream. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is divided into first and second portions with the first portion being expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. The second portion of the cooled, compressed process stream is also expanded and used to cool the compressed process stream. Additional features and techniques may be integrated with the liquefaction process including a water clean-up cycle and a carbon dioxide (CO2) clean-up cycle.

Abstract: A liquified gas delivery system for a motorized platform includes a holding tank configured to receive liquified gas. A first conduit extends from a vapor holding portion of the tank to a valve device. A second conduit extends from a liquid holding portion of the tank to the valve device. Fluid coupled to the valve device is a vaporizer which is in communication with an engine. The valve device selectively withdraws either liquified gas or liquified gas vapor from the tank depending on the pressure within the vapor holding portion of the tank. Various configurations of the delivery system can be utilized for pressurizing the tank during operation.

Abstract: A process for the separation and liquefaction of component gasses from a pressurized mix gas stream is disclosed. The process involves cooling the pressurized mixed gas stream in a heat exchanger so as to condensing one or more of the gas components having the highest condensation point; separating the condensed components from the remaining mixed gas stream in a gas-liquid separator; cooling the separated condensed component stream by passing it through an expander; and passing the cooled component stream back through the heat exchanger such that the cooled component stream functions as the refrigerant for the heat exchanger. The cycle is then repeated for the remaining mixed gas stream so as to draw off the next component gas and further cool the remaining mixed gas stream. The process continues until all of the component gases are separated from the desired gas stream. The final gas stream is then passed through a final heat exchanger and expander.

Abstract: A pump comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet. An impeller assembly mounted for rotation within the housing includes a first impeller piece having a first mating surface thereon and a second impeller piece having a second mating surface therein. The second mating surface of the second impeller piece includes at least one groove therein so that at least one flow channel is defined between the groove and the first mating surface of the first impeller piece. A drive system operatively associated with the impeller assembly rotates the impeller assembly within the housing.

Abstract: Pump apparatus according to the present invention may comprise a pump body having a bore therein and a piston mounted within the bore so that the piston may be reciprocated within the bore between first and second positions. A sleeve seal assembly mounted to the pump body contacts the piston as the piston moves between the first and second positions. A piston seal assembly mounted to the piston contacts the bore in the pump body and is located on the piston so that the piston seal assembly does not contact the sleeve seal assembly as the piston is reciprocated between the first and second positions within the bore of the pump body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treating a surface of a work piece are described. In one implementation, a laser delivery subsystem is configured to direct a laser beam toward a treatment zone on a work surface. A cryogenic material delivery subsystem is operably coupled with the laser delivery subsystem and is configured to direct a stream comprising cryogenic material toward the treatment zone. Both the laser beam and stream cooperate to treat material of the work surface within the treatment zone. In one aspect, a nozzle assembly provides the laser beam and stream of cryogenic material along a common flow axis. In another aspect, the laser beam and stream are provided along different axes.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system includes a fuel tank configured to receive liquid natural gas. A first conduit extends from a vapor holding portion of the fuel tank to an economizer valve. A second conduit extends from a liquid holding portion of the fuel tank to the economizer valve. Fluid coupled to the economizer valve is a vaporizer which is heated by coolant from the engine and is positioned below the fuel tank. The economizer valve selectively withdraws either liquid natural gas or vaporized natural gas from the fuel tank depending on the pressure within the vapor holding portion of the fuel tank. A delivery conduit extends from the vaporizer to the engine. A return conduit having a check valve formed therein extends from the delivery conduit to the vapor holding portion of the fuel tank for pressurizing the fuel tank.

Abstract: A process for the separation and liquefaction of component gasses from a pressurized mix gas stream is disclosed. The process involves cooling the pressurized mixed gas stream in a heat exchanger so as to condense one or more of the gas components having the highest condensation point; separating the condensed components from the remaining mixed gas stream in a gas-liquid separator; cooling the separated condensed component stream by passing it through an expander; and passing the cooled component stream back through the heat exchanger such that the cooled component stream functions as the refrigerant for the heat exchanger. The cycle is then repeated for the remaining mixed gas stream so as to draw off the next component gas and further cool the remaining mixed gas stream. The process continues until all of the component gases are separated from the desired gas stream. The final gas stream is then passed through a final heat exchanger and expander.

Abstract: A gas delivery system provides a first gas which is in a liquid state under extreme pressure and in a gaseous state under intermediate pressure. A particle delivery system provides a slurry comprising the first gas in a liquid state and a second gas in a solid state. The second gas is selected so that it will solidify at a temperature at or above the temperature of the first gas in a liquid state. A nozzle assembly connected to the gas delivery system and to the particle delivery system produces a stream having a high velocity central jet comprising the slurry, a liquid sheath surrounding the central jet comprising the first gas in a liquid state and an outer jacket surrounding the liquid sheath comprising the first gas in a gas state.

Abstract: A method and system for locating the three dimensional coordinates of a moving or stationary object in real time. The three dimensional coordinates of an object in half space or full space are determined based upon the time of arrival or phase of the wave front measured by a plurality of receiver elements and an established vector magnitudes proportional to the measured time of arrival or phase at each receiver element. The coordinates of the object are calculated by solving a matrix equation or a set of closed form algebraic equations.

Abstract: A gas delivery system provides a first gas as a liquid under extreme pressure and as a gas under intermediate pressure. Another gas delivery system provides a second gas under moderate pressure. The second gas is selected to solidify at a temperature at or above the temperature of the liquified gas. A nozzle assembly connected to the gas delivery systems produces a stream containing a liquid component, a solid component, and a gas component. The liquid component of the stream consists of a high velocity jet of the liquified first gas. The high velocity jet is surrounded by a particle sheath that consists of solid particles of the second gas which solidifies in the nozzle upon contact with the liquified gas of the high velocity jet. The gas component of the stream is a high velocity flow of the first gas that encircles the particle sheath, forming an outer jacket.